Centrifuge power head with mounting means

ABSTRACT

An improved centrifuge structure is provided for medical diagnostic purposes, and the like, and which is particularly suited for use in conjunction with urine, blood and microhematocrit analyses. The structure involves an electric motor which is supported so that its drive shaft extends upwardly along the central axis of the centrifuge, and a coupler, in accordance with the invention is attached to the shaft by means, for example, of a set screw, or other means. The coupler defines a transverse trough extending radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft, and the drive shaft extends upwardly through the bottom of the trough. A mating bushing is attached to the underside of the power head of the centrifuge, and it has a central aperture for receiving the motor shaft. The lower end of the bushing has a configuration which is shaped to fit into the transverse trough of the coupler. A screw extends down through the power head and through the bushing to be threaded into the upper end of the drive shaft. The aforesaid screw may have a knurled head to permit it to be loosened and tightened by hand. When the screw is tightened, the power head is held securely on the drive shaft with the bushing engaged by the coupler, and a positive drive is provided for the power head. However, it is an easy matter to exchange the power head with another type, if so desired, merely by removing the screw and placing a second power head, equipped with a similar type bushing, over the shaft and down into the coupler.

United States Patent [191 Drucker 451 Aug. 7, 1973 i 1 CENTRIFUGE POWER HEAD WITH MOUNTING MEANS Robert M. Drucker, Astoria, Oreg.

[73] Assignee: Bio-Consultants, Inc., South Gate,

Calif.

[22]Fi1ed: ,May 10, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 141,656

[75] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerGeorge H. Krizmanich Att0rney-Jessup & Beecher [57] ABSTRACT An improved centrifuge structure is provided for medical diagnostic purposes, and the like, and which is particularly suited for use in conjunction with urine, blood and microhematocrit analyses. The structure involves an electric motor which is supported so that its drive shaft extends upwardly along the central axis of the centrifuge, and a coupler, in accordance with the invention is attached to the shaft by means, for example, of a set screw, or other means. The coupler defines a transverse trough extending radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft, and the drive shaft extends upwardly through the bottom of the trough. A mating bushing is attached to the underside of the power head of the centrifuge, and it has a central aperture for receiving the motor shaft. The lower end of the bushing has a configuration which is shaped to fit into the transverse trough of the coupler. A screw extends down through the power head and through the bushing to be threaded into the upper end of the drive shaft.

The aforesaid screw may have a knurled head to permit it to be loosened and tightened by hand. When the screw is tightened, the power head is held secu ra y on the drive shaft with the bushing engaged by the coupler, and a positive drive is provided for the power head. However, it is an easy matter to exchange the power head with another type, if so desired, merely by removing the screw and placing a second power head, equipped with a similar type bushing, over the shaft and down into the coupler.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures aaar CENTRIFUGE POWER HEAD WITH MOUNTING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Centrifuges are widely used for medical diagnostic purposes, and for a wide variety of other purposes in which it is desired to separate the various constituents of a sample by centrifugal forces. The usual centrifuge includes an electric motor which drives a power head, the power head rotating at a high speed within the centrifuge housing. Appropriate receptacles for the liquid which is to be subjected to the centrifugal forces are provided on the power head.

In order to make a particular centrifuge of more universal use and acceptance, it is most advantageous to provide an interchangeable type of power head, so that a variety of different power heads may be used for different tests, all with the same unit, and also to provide for the simple removal of the power head for cleaning purposes.

As mentioned above, the structure of the present invention is most advantageous in that it provides an improved and simplified coupling structure, whereby the power head may be positively and rigidly supported on t the drive shaft of the centrifuge drive motor, and yet which may be easily and simply removed, when so desired. It will become evident as the description proceeds, that the structure of the present invention is applicable to a wide range of type of centrifuge mechanisms, in which interchangeable power heads are used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a centrifuge which may incorporate the concepts of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the centrifuge of FIG. 1 taken essentially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective representation of the cylindrical housing of the centrifuge shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing being shown with its hinged cover in an open position; 7

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, and showing an appropriate latch mechanism for the cover of the housing;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the chassis of the centrifuge, showing the electric motor, and with the power head removed for'reasons of clarity;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the power head which was removed from the chassis view of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the power head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT The centrifuge shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, a base 10 which is supported on pedestals 12, the pedestals being preferably provided with suction cups, so as to assure stability of the centrifuge when operating at high speeds. A series ofpush-button controls 1'4, l6, l8 and are mounted on the forward edge of the base 10, and these push buttons control the operation of the electric motor 22 shown in FIG. 5, the control being effectuated through electronic circuitry, for example, mounted on an electronic circuit board 24 shown in FIG. 5.

The various push buttons may be labelled respectively urine, blood, .microhematocrit and stop.

When the buttons 14, 16 or 18 are depressed, the centrifuge rotates at various speedls which are suitable for the test indicated by the designation on the individual push button. The operation is stopped when the push button 20 is depressed. A cylindrical housing 30 is supported on the base 10, the support being preferably by means of suitable latches, so that the housing may be removed from the base to reveal the inner components, such as shown in FIG. 5. A cover 32 is hinged to the top of the housing, and the cover is normally held closed by means of an appropriate latch 34.

The view of FIG. 3 shows the housing 30 removed from the base 10 and with the cover 32 in its open position. When the cover 32 is turned down to a closed position, the spring loaded latch 34 engages with a shoulder 36 in the top edge of the housing so that the cover is firmly held closed. However, the cover may be opened by pressing the top part of the latch down so as to release the latch from the shoulder.

A dish 40 is mounted on the base 10, as shown in FIG. 5, by means, for example, of appropriate screws 42 and bushings 44. The dish is supported up from the base 10. The dish is preferably enamelled, and is intended to serve as a receptacle for blood, urine or the like which might become spilled from the power head of the unit. The dish may be easily cleaned simply by removing the housing 30, and the power head. The dish has a central portion 40a which has a re-entrance configuration, and the motor 22 is supported from the central portion 40a of the dish by means of appropriate screws 46.

The drive shaft 48 of the motor extends upwardly from the top of the central section of the dish, and a coupler 52 is mounted on the drive shaft 48 just above the dish by means, for example, of a set screw 54. The coupler 52 defines a transverse trough-like surface 53 around the shaft 48. The upper end of the shaft 48 is hollow, and has an internal thread 49 provided in it. The coupler 52 has an aperture 55 and the drive shaft extends through the aperture 55 and up through the trough-like surface 53, as shown.

The power head 60, such as shown in FIG. 6 may take the form of a flat disc-shaped member, and a pair of carriers 62 may be swively mounted at diametrically opposite positions on the power head. The carrier 62 may be slotted to receive small receptacles of the liquid to be treated. When the power head 60 is rotated at a high speed, the carriers 62 swing out to a generally horizontal position, and the centrifugal separation of the ingredients of the liquids may be carried out. Then, when the power head slowsdown, the carrier 62 assumes a vertical position, so as to avoid spillage.

A' bushing 64 is centrally provided on the underside of the power head 60, and it defines a transverse generally arcuate lower surface 53 which engages the troughlike surface 53 of the coupler 52 when the power head is in place on the drive shaft 48. Thedrive shaft 48 extends up a central passage in the bushing 64, and a screw66 is threaded into the threaded hollow end of the drive shaft to hold the power head in place.

It will be appreciated that themating between the coupler 52 and the bushing 64 provides a positive engagement between the power head and the drive shaft so that high rotational speeds may be developed, the

only function of the screw66 being to hold the bushing 64 in place in the coupler 52, and to maintain the power head 60 centered with respect to the drive shaft 48.

Whenever it is desired to replace the power head 60 with a different power head, it is merely necessary to loosen and remove the screw 66. The screw may be provided with a knurled head to facilitate the manual tightening and loosening of the screw.

Therefore, the power head 60 may be removed easily and simply to reveal the dish 40 and facilitate cleaning operations. Also, the power head 60 may be replaced by another type power head, equipped with the same type of bushing 64, this being achieved simply and expeditiously, so that the centrifuge unit may be used for a wide range of applications.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, modifications may be made, and it is intended in the claims to cover the modifications which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A centrifuge comprising: a supporting chassis, an electric motor having a drive shaft, said electric motor being mounted on said chassis so that said drive shaft extends in a vertical direction; a coupler affixed to said drive shaft and defining a trough-like surface extending generally transversely to the axis of rotation of said drive shaft, an aperture in said coupler, said drive shaft extending through said aperture in said coupler and projecting up through said trough-like surface, the projecting end of said drive shaft being threaded; and a power head having a bushing affixed to the under surface thereof, and said bushing having a lower arcuate surface extending generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said bushing and extending into said trough-like surface of said coupler in a mating relationship, said bushing having a central passageway extending longitudinally therethrough for receiving the projecting portion of said drive shaft, said power head having an aperture therein aligned with the passageway in said bushing; and a screw extending through said aper ture in said power head and down into said passageway in said bushing into threaded engagement with the projecting end of said drive shaft.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said supporting chassis has an opening and said motor extends therethrough, and which includes a dish-shaped member disposed under said power head for receiving drainage therefrom.

3. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said screw has a knurled head to facilitate manual threading and unthreading thereof. 

1. A centrifuge comprising: a supporting chassis, an electric motor having a drive shaft, said electric motor being mounted on said chassis so that said drive shaft extends in a vertical direction; a coupler affixed to said drive shaft and defining a trough-like surface extending generally transversely to the axis of rotation of said drive shaft, an aperture in said coupler, said drive shaft extending through said aperture in said coupler and projecting up through said trough-like surface, the projecting end of said drive shaft being threaded; and a power head having a bushing affixed to the under surface thereof, and said bushing having a lower arcuate surface extending generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said bushing and extending into said trough-like surface of said coupler in a mating relationship, said bushing having a central passageway extending longitudinally therethrough for receiving the projecting portion of said drive shaft, said power head having an aperture therein aligned with the passageway in said bushing; and a screw extending through said aperture in said power head and down into said passageway in said bushing into threaded engagement with the projecting end of said drive shaft.
 2. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said supporting chassis has an opening and said motor extends therethrough, and which includes a dish-shaped member disposed under said power head for receiving drainage therefrom.
 3. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said screw has a knurled head to facilitate manual threading and unthreading thereof. 